Style & Fashion
The luxury pages of Country Life feature some of the most exlusive clothes and accessories for men and women – not many publications cater to both. In addition, every week online we find some of the most beautiful things to buy for yourself, or a loved one. Often made by some of the oldest, and most loved British brands, these pieces are the best we can find, whether it’s a classic trench coat or a Christmas party dress.
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The Utterly Inessential Shopping List: Everything you need for the last weekend of summer
Alexandra Fraser rounds up the last few things you absolutely don't need this summer, as we reluctantly turn towards autumn jackets, broken brollies and 'do you have any tables inside?'.
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The Utterly Inessential Bank Holiday Shopping List: A few simple pleasures to indulge in over the historic August long weekend
It's the weekend we've all been waiting for since Christmas. In three short days, everyone in the UK (except the parents of young children, God bless you) will wake up at 7am, glance at their phone clocks and peacefully drift back into their downy pillows with large smiles on their faces. It's here, it's really here – the August bank holiday.
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A centuries-old altar cloth from a rural English church turned out to be the 'lost dress' of Elizabeth I, and it's set to go on public display
An altar cloth that turned out to be part of a gown belonging to Elizabeth I is going on display at hampton Court after undergoing an extensive conservation treatment.
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The Utterly Inessential Beach Shopping List: From ocean-inspired drinks to a Dragon paddleboard for the entire family to enjoy
Bored of being in the office? Well, this weekend is your chance to drop everything and jump on a train down to our gleaming coastline. Alexandra Fraser rounds up a few of the utterly inessential things that you should probably, potentially, but definitely not absolutely, bring with you.
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The Utterly Inessential Shopping List: Solid chocolate ice cream, a trackable passport cover and a £7,000 silver ice bucket
In this week's round up of utterly inessential items to amaze and beguile, Alexandra Fraser takes a look at a solid chocolate ice cream cone, the world's most expensive (probably) ice bucket and the ultimate solution to losing your passport in the airport.
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Curious Questions: What does your flat cap say about you?
You might think a flat cap is just something to keep your head warm and dry. And in some circumstances you'd be right – but there's a minefield of meaning out there, according to Rob Crossan.
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The Utterly Inessential Polo Shopping List: Everything you'll need for The Hurlingham Polo International Day and beyond
Looking ahead to this Saturday, Alexandra Fraser rounds up all of the Utterly Inessential items you may desire to attend the polo this Saturday in style, from comfy (yet stylish) shoes to the ever-present fedora.
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The Utterly Inessential Shopping List: A chocolate subscription, Highgrove's sugar bowl and an in-home bowling alley
Forget about the big things. You can keep the necessities. Don't tell us about the must-haves. Alexandra Fraser takes a look at a few little luxuries which, in a world too full of strife and woe, will help ease your way through life with a smile on your face.
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125 years of Barbour jackets — and how they've won over everyone from The Queen to Alexa Chung
As Barbour celebrates its 125th anniversary, its distinctive and much-loved jackets are still being worn by everyone from farmers to fashion royalty. Flora Watkins salutes a great British brand.
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The Utterly Inessential Outdoors Shopping List: How to grow your own drinks garnish, a water bottle that keeps ice for 24 hours and a quacking picnic blanket
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The Utterly Inessential Henley Shopping List: From this weekend's Regatta to next week's fabulous Festival
We've rounded up all the utterly inessential products that you absolutely do not need (top hats for Ascot aside) to enjoy this summers season of festivals, shows and races. This week: Henley Royal Regatta and Festival.
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Jason Goodwin: 'As soon as I tried the suits on, we realised that they represented the Three Ages of Man'
Our spectator columnist discusses three suits, donated by the same man to a charity shop, which have seen him through his first through stages of life and made him long for the fine tailoring of days-gone-by.
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Hunter have a highly-technical collection of wellies that are designed to brave even the wildest countryside conditions
Long-time British footwear favourites, Hunter are returning to The Game Fair this July at Hatfield House with the brand new Field range, carefully crafted to tackle the typical trials and tribulations faced by boot owners every day.
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Pragnell's home evolves: How one of Britain's finest jewellers has expanded in to one of Stratford's most historic houses
The Stratford-upon-Avon-based jeweller Pragnell has expanded its premises — but they've not had to move to do so. Instead, they've knocked through into the house next door, a home built by a friend of William Shakespeare.
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The Utterly Inessential Ascot Shopping List: How to safely navigate one of British society's most draconian dress codes
We've rounded up all the utterly inessential products that you absolutely do not need (top hats for Ascot aside) to enjoy this summers season of festivals, shows and races. This week: Ascot.
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The Utterly Inessential Hay Shopping List: All you'll need to thoroughly enjoy 'the Woodstock of the mind'
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The newest addition to the Rolls-Royce fleet? Not a car, but a rather incredible Champagne chest
For the places that their famous cars cannot go, Rolls Royce have created the perfect dining companion, perfectly paired with the offerings of Jay-Z's own Champagne house.
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The Utterly Inessential Chelsea Shopping List: What you'll need for the famed Flower Show, from chic sunglasses to an obligatory brolly
We've rounded up all the utterly inessential products that you absolutely do not need (top hats for Ascot aside) to enjoy this summers season of festivals, shows and races. This week: Chelsea Flower Show.
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The Utterly Inessential Royal Baby Shopping List: A pram fit for Balmoral, marine-issue wellington boots and the phenomenon of the baby sleeping bag
Let's face it, when it comes to our little ones, we are all inclined to go a little bit overboard.